PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A two-year investigation has resulted in nine people being charged with looting the government of more than $3 million in food stamp fraud.

By W. Zachary Malinowski

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A two-year investigation has resulted in nine people being charged with looting the government of more than $3 million in food stamp fraud.

Peter F. Neronha, U.S Attorney for Rhode Island, said on Thursday that five Providence businesses allowed recipients in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, to trade their benefits for cash. In exchange, the businesses are accused of adding a surcharge for the illegal service.

"Some chose to line their own pockets to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars at the taxpayers expense, " Neronha said.